U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) Commander General Michael Langley has lauded the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) for their exemplary role in promoting regional stability through peacekeeping missions.
Speaking to a local media station on the night of Tuesday, May 27, 2025, General Langley highlighted Kenya’s significant contributions to the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS), the successor to the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM).
“The KDF has a reputation in East Africa as a leader and security exporter. They are an anchor country in a few iterations, such as AMISOM and now ATMIS,” General Langley stated.
He further emphasised the positive feedback from Somali leadership, highlighting President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s commendation of both ATMIS and its predecessor, AMISOM, for their invaluable contributions to Somalia’s stability and security.
“I met with President Hassan Sheikh Mohamed, and he speaks highly of the brothers and sisters at the border in Somalia from Kenya,” he added.
General Langley expressed concern about the persistent threat posed by Al-Shabaab, noting that the group, backed by Al-Qaeda, is infiltrating Somalia to expand its influence and establish a shadow government.
“Sponsored by Al Qaeda, they (Al-Shabaab) want to be able to use their operations to become the shadow government and conduct nefarious activities to prey upon the people of Somalia,” Langley said.
He emphasised that the United States is committed to supporting African nations in achieving their full potential in terms of independence, sovereignty, and freedom.
“We are concerned about it. Their influence may not be looked upon as positive (on Africans). Americans have that in mind: that Africans be able to hit their maximum potential in independence, sovereignty, and freedom,” he added.
Chief of Defence Conference
The US Africom commander, who is currently in Nairobi ahead of the 2025 African Chiefs of Defence Conference (ACHOD25), also highlighted that the conference has significantly enhanced dialogue among African military leaders.
He emphasised that the conference has facilitated open discussions on military and security challenges, fostering a shared commitment to achieving stability across the continent.
“Africa Chiefs of Defence Conference has really opened things up to address military issues, security issues and shared objectives of how to achieve security and stability across the continent,” he added.
The conference is co-hosted by AFRICOM and the Kenya Defence Forces. This high-level summit brings together military leaders from 37 African nations, along with U.S. Naval Forces Africa, Special Operations Command Africa, U.S. Air Forces Africa, and U.S. Army Africa, to address transnational threats and strengthen regional partnerships.
